Grace

In verses 7–13, Paul transitioned from describing the mystery to relaying his responsibility to distribute the mystery to the Gentiles.

EPHESIANS 3:7–9
In verse 7, Paul gave insight into why he was a part of this ministry and his place within the ministry. Paul was made a minister of the gospel by God’s grace. Due to Paul’s background of adamantly opposing Christians, Paul understood the magnificent gift of God’s grace and how undeserving he was of it, which is why he said he was the least of all the saints in verse 8. We see Paul’s humility shining through here. Because of this great gift he received, Paul dedicated his life to the ministry of sharing it with others, specifically the Gentiles. It was not forced, but something he wanted to do. Paul’s service to God was sustained by the working of God’s power.

In verses 8–9, Paul made two statements about his ministry: he was to “preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” and “to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery.” Paul was Jewish and ministered to the Jews, but his specific calling was to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). As discussed in chapter one of Ephesians, the Gentiles now had access to the riches of Christ.

Paul’s job was to shed light on this mystery for everyone to know. This mystery was never a mystery to God, since it had been hidden with Him for ages. All along, God had this beautiful, powerful plan that would forever influence eternity by bringing Jews and Gentiles together through the grace of Christ and under His headship. And now was the time for all to know.

EPHESIANS 3:10–13
In these verses, Paul defined the purpose of his ministry. Through the church— believing Jews and Gentiles together in one body, the manifold wisdom of God—this new relationship between the Jews and Gentiles might “be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” Believing Jews and Gentiles joining together shows God’s great wisdom and plan, and all who see, those on earth and in the spiritual realm, will praise Him. As an ancient doxology says: “Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts.” All of this, the mystery, was according to God’s eternal purpose, which He accomplished through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Paul ended this section with an encouragement to his Ephesian readers. He told them to not lose heart over his sufferings because his sufferings were for their good and glory in Christ. Paul was imprisoned because he was preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. Due to Paul’s preaching and God’s power, the Gentiles received salvation. For this reason, Paul told them his suffering was worth it.

God’s eternal plan was to join believing Jews and Gentiles together—to offer His grace to all people. In what ways does this truth—the fact that throughout all of eternity, from the beginning of the world when the first sin was committed, God had it in mind to offer His grace to all people— affect you?

Michelle Helms posted an image above with lyrics to the song "Oceans" by Hillsong United. This image spoke to me...you see, I created this digital artwork, "You Call Me Out...", as I felt inspired by this same song and by the purposes in life that I feel God calling me out to do. I identify with verse 12...I am trying so hard to hang on to his promise that he will give me "boldness and access with confidence through my faith in him". I am trying to run towards his mysterious plan for my life. I often struggle with "motivations of the heart" too. I feel overwhelmed sometimes though... he has given me four words recently... patience, relationships, trust, and faith. Why couldn't I have been given just one? LOL :) I struggle with all of these words in different ways...especially patience. Todays reading helps me though with the word "trust"....which is what this artwork is about. I hope it blesses you if you also struggle with Trust.

How passionately God desires a Family!!! How wonderful that we are adopted by Him and TOGETHER betrothed to Jesus. What more could we need besides an all-powerful Father and a perfectly loving Husband? Oh wait! Not only are we covered by His love in every way, we are FILLED withHis very LIFE! God, grant us power to receive and believe all we've been given in You, and live as heirs of the riches of Heaven!

The truth that it was God's eternal plan to offer grace to all people through what Christ accomplished on the cross affects me by being overwhelmed with awe and gratitude. Like Paul, I can feel unworthy of His gift of grace because I see all of my flaws and faults, but also like Paul, I cannot allow myself to wallow in self-deprecation but to take action on the works God has planned for me. His grace is not only an extension of salvation, but also grace to do the good works He has prepared for me. I'm challenged today to take a hard look at my "works" - am I doing what I want to do and not appreciating the gift of grace I've received? Or am I acting in accordance with what God has purposed for me - humbly, yet boldly, approaching His throne of grace to accept the responsibility given to me and the provision of His power to carry it out?

Because the Jew/Gentile conflict is not as strong in our day, it is easy for me to underestimate and mishandle the verses that deal with it. I've been noticing this time around what a strong theme it is--like Vivian said, we are not just individuals who are saved! God has this great, beautiful reconciliation plan. A family he is making unified out of enemy groups. He is taking people filled with self-satisfied religion and teaching them humility and love through his grace. He is taking ignorant, disobedient people and teaching them about his ways and his kingdom by his grace. What a beautiful mystery this plan of God's is: to unite all things in Christ. We all lay down alike our pride and our shame, and despite significant differences, pick up the same identity together--"in Christ, because of grace". ••• It's also notable to me that Paul views his ministry, his suffering, his challenges, as a gift. He says it twice, and at the end forbids us to feel discouraged for him. His life is hard, change is slow, and ministry is discouraging. But he sees it as a gift. That in itself is a gift--one that I need and want!

Yes! The less I pick & choose what I'm willing to endure for the sake of Christ the more I, too, see it all as a gift. I admit I all-too-often want an easier, less-painful path to ministry... but, in His Goodness & Grace He bids me on ... with dear souls who remind me it is all a gift. Thank you, Terri.

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Kellie Johnson

Tue, 03/13/2018 - 07:46

I am struck that this was God's original plan. To bring all people of all nations and beliefs, together, under one God, for one purpose and yet we live in a world that is so divided. We are divided by race, wealth, social status and many other things. We build high fences around our own yards. We become so comfortable in even our churches that visitors leave feeling as if they are an outsider. These things which divide us, God is interested in. They are blocking the view so that not everyone can see the big picture that was painted before the beginning of time. IF it's true that God's original plan was to include all, then we are the modern day Paul. You ask how all of this affects me...it gives me purpose and push to do what I can to tear down walls and represent Jesus well.